St James Lutheran Church: Sermons and Worship

What do we do when we're convinced God has let us down? When we're troubled

by all the evil he has allowed to happen? When we're convinced he's not held up his

end of the bargain in helping us? We put him on trial: we present the evidence and

convict him of not being a good God. This is what we did to Jesus, and he willingly

underwent it for us.

God in the Dock — Good Friday, April 7, 2023:

https://saintjamesglencarbon.org/2023-good-friday

Order of service:

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Isaiah 52:7—53:12

John 18:1—19:42

Hymns:

- The Power of the Cross: Text and tune by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend, © 2005

Thankyou Music; used with permission, CCLI license # 20286740.

- Lamb of God: Text and tune by Twila Paris, © 1985 Straightway Music, admin. EMI;

used with permission, LSB Hymn License #110001220.

- O Sacred Head, Now Wounded: Text: Bernard of Clairvaux, 1091-1153 and Paul

Gerhardt, 1607-76; tr. © 1941 Concordia Publishing House, used with permission, CCLI

license # 20286740; Tune: Hans Leo Hassler, 1564-1612, public domain.

When God makes a covenant with Israel after they escaped Egypt, he

committed himself to it with a covenant cutting ceremony: the blood of an ox was

divided in half, with one half thrown toward God (the altar) and the other half

thrown toward the people of Israel. In other words, if God or the people violated

the covenant they had made themselves liable to being cut up like the ox. But when

God's people break covenant, God comes up with a way to maintain the covenant

without destroying his rebellious people.

The Blood of the Covenant — Holy Thursday, April 6, 2023:

https://saintjamesglencarbon.org/2023-holy-thursday

Order of service:

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Romans 5:8-11

Psalm 116:12-19

Exodus 24:3–11

Hebrews 9:11–22

Matthew 26:17–30

Hymns:

- When You Woke That Thursday Morning: Text: Jaroslav J. Vajda, 1919–2008; © 1991

Concordia Publishing House. Tune: Marty Haugen, 1950; © 1987 GIA Publications, Inc.

Used with permission: LSB Hymn License #110001220.

- Jesus Paid It All: Text by Elvina M. Hall; tune by John T. Grape; text and tune

are in the public domain.

- Trisagion: Fernando Ortega; © 2004 Cerdo Verde Music; © 2004 Curb Songs; Used with

permission: CCLI license #20286740.

- Come to Calvary’s Holy Mountain: Text by James Montgomery; Tune by Ludvig M.

Lindeman; Public domain.

- Eat This Bread: Text: Stephen P. Starke (sts. 1-2), © 1998 Concordia Publishing

House; Robert J. Batastini (sts. 3-5, ref.); tune: Jacques Berthier, © 1984 Ateliers

et Presses de Taizé, Taizé Community, France, admin. GIA Publications, Inc. Text and

tune used with permission, LSB Hymn License #110001220.

- Be Unto Your Name: Text and tune by Gary Sadler and Lynn DeShazo; © 1998

Integrity’s Hosanna! Music, used with permission, CCLI license # 20286740.

Liturgies:

- Sanctus: Text: Stephen P. Starke

- Agnus Dei: Text: Stephen P. Starke

- Nunc Dimittis

From the Garden of Eden on humans have tried to dethrone God. As a

response, God becomes one of us. By doing this, God forgives us and heals us so that

we can begin to look like God in ways we never could in our rebellion against him.

We Can't be God, but God Can be Us — Palm Sunday, April 2, 2023:

https://saintjamesglencarbon.org/2023-palm-sunday

Order of service:

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Matthew 11:28-30

Psalm 118:19-29

Isaiah 50:4–9a

Philippians 2:5–11

John 12:20–43

Hymns:

- Hosanna, Loud Hosanna: Text: Jeannette Threlfall, 1821–80, alt. Tune: Gesangbuch

der Herzogl. Hofkapelle, 1784, Württemberg. Text and tune: Public domain.

- Praise the One Who Breaks the Darkness: Text by Rusty Edwards, © 1987 Hope

Publishing Co.; used with permission, LSB Hymn License #110001220; tune by The

Sacred Harp, 1844, public domain.

- Ride On, King Jesus: Steve Bell; Verses 1-3 and 6 by Hilda Carper; © 1974 Reba

Place Church Inc.; Used with permission: stevebell.com - March 2023

- Lord from Sorrows Deep I Call: Text and tune: Matt Papa and Matt Boswell; © 2018

Getty Music; used with permission, CCLI license # 20286740.

- When I Behold Jesus Christ: Text by Almaz Belhu (sts.1-3, ref.), Joseph Herl

(st.4), trans. Jim and Aurelia Keefer; tune by Almaz Belhu; text and tune, © 1970

Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus; text (st. 4), © 1998 Concordia Publishing

House; used with permission, LSB Hymn License #110001220.

- Amazing Grace: Text by John Newton; tune by Columbian Harmony, 1829; text and tune

are public domain.

Liturgies:

- Sanctus: Text: Stephen P. Starke

- Agnus Dei: Text: Stephen P. Starke

- Nunc Dimittis

Jesus intentionally delays going to Lazarus' sickbed because he wants to

wait until he's dead so that he can heal him. Knowing he's going to heal him doesn't

mean he takes his friend's death lightly though - Jesus is deeply affected and moved

by the grief surrounding Lazarus' demise. But because he himself is the

resurrection, he can bring new life out of that pain.

Jesus, Lazarus, and the Problem of Evil — Midweek Lent Service, March 29, 2023:

https://saintjamesglencarbon.org/2023-midweek-lent-service-5

Order of service:

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Psalm 130

John 11:1–45

Hymns:

- Be Still, My Soul: Text: Catharina Amalia Dorothea von Schlegel, 1697–1752; tr.

Jane L. Borthwick, 1813–97, alt.; Tune: Jean Sibelius, 1865–1957, adapt.; Text and

tune: Public domain.

- Magnificat: Text: Luke 1:46 (ESV); public domain. Tune: David Schack (b. 1947), ©

2006 Lutheran Service Book, used with permission, LSB Hymn License no. 110001220.

- O the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus!: Text by S. Trevor Francis; tune by Thomas John

Williams; text and tune are public domain.

To be "in the Spirit", according to St. Paul in Romans 8:1-11, means living

under the final verdict of not guilty, living a life of fulfillment of God's

righteous requirement, and living with the guarantee of future resurrection.

Life in the Spirit versus Life in the Flesh — Fifth Sunday in Lent, March 26, 2023:

https://saintjamesglencarbon.org/2023-fifth-sunday-in-lent

Order of service:

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Zephaniah 3:14-17

Psalm 130

Ezekiel 37:1–14

Romans 8:1–11

John 11:1–45

Hymns:

- In Christ Alone: Text and tune by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend, © 2001 Thankyou

Music; used with permission, CCLI license # 20286740.

- Jesus Loves Me: Text by Anna B. Warner; tune by William B. Bradbury; text and tune

are in the public domain.

- My Song Is Love Unknown: Text: Samuel Crossman, c. 1624–1683; Public domain. Tune:

John N. Ireland, 1879–1962, © John Ireland Trust; Used with permission: LSB Hymn

License #110001220.

- Gethsemane Hymn: Keith Getty, Stuart Townend; © 2008 Thankyou Music; Used with

permission: CCLI license #20286740.

- Ancient of Days: Jesse Reeves, Jonny Robinson, Michael Farren, Rich Thompson; ©

2018 CityAlight Music. Used with permission, CCLI license #20286740.

- Drawn to the Cross, Which Thou Hast Blessed: Text by Genevieve M. Irons; tune by

Joseph Barnby; text and tune are public domain.

- Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing: Text: Robert Robinson, 1735–90, alt. Tune:

Repository of Sacred Music, Part Second, 1813, Harrisburg. Text and tune: Public

domain.

Liturgies:

- Sanctus: Text: Stephen P. Starke

- Agnus Dei: Text: Stephen P. Starke

- Nunc Dimittis

When Jesus' disciples ask him what sins caused a particular man to be born

blind, Jesus shockingly says it happened not because of sin but because God wanted

an opportunity to glorify himself. After Jesus heals him, the contest between the

man, his family, the religious establishment, and Jesus begins to see who is going

to get that glory. In the end, Jesus insists that it belongs to his father, but that

his judgment of the seeing and the blind is the avenue by which that glory will be

revealed.

Jesus and the Man Born Blind — Midweek Lent Service, March 22, 2023:

https://saintjamesglencarbon.org/2023-midweek-lent-service-4

Order of service:

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Psalm 142

John 9

Hymns:

- Amazing Grace: Text by John Newton; tune by Columbian Harmony, 1829; text and tune

are public domain.

- Magnificat: Text: Luke 1:46 (ESV); public domain. Tune: David Schack (b. 1947), ©

2006 Lutheran Service Book, used with permission, LSB Hymn License no. 110001220.

- Praise the One Who Breaks the Darkness: Text by Rusty Edwards, © 1987 Hope

Publishing Co.; used with permission, LSB Hymn License #110001220; tune by The

Sacred Harp, 1844, public domain.

The final chapter in the story of the Bible (in other words - the story of

human history) is God coming to live with his people on the new earth. God's goal

was never to take a disembodied people up to live with him in heaven, but to come

and live with us on the earth he created for us to care for back in the beginning.

In this new creation there will be no more sorrow or pain, but we will live in

perfect relationship with God, perfect relationship with each other, and perfect

relationship with created world.

The New Creation — Fourth Sunday in Lent, March 19, 2023:

https://saintjamesglencarbon.org/2023-fourth-sunday-in-lent

Order of service:

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Isaiah 53:4-6

Psalm 142

Isaiah 42:14–21

Revelation 21—22

John 9:1–41

Hymns:

- O Church, Arise: Text and tune by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend, © 2005 Thankyou

Music; used with permission, CCLI License # 20286740.

- Joy to the World: Text: Isaac Watts; Tune: George Frideric Handel; Text and tune:

Public domain

- There Is a Redeemer: Text and tune by Melody Green, © 1982 Birdwing Music, admin.

EMI; used with permission, CCLI license # 20286740.

- Thy Body, Given for Me, O Savior: Text: Friedrich Christian Heyder; Tune:

Emskirchner Choral-Buch, 1756; Text and tune © 1941 Concordia Publishing House; Used

with permission: CCLI license #20286740.

- I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light: Text and tune: Kathleen Thomerson, 1934; ©

1970, 1975 Celebration. Used with permission: LSB Hymn License #110001220.

- Oh, for a Thousand Tongues to Sing: Text: Charles Wesley, tune: Carl G. Glaser;

text and tune: public domain.

Jesus conversation with the Samaritan woman should never have happened - it

just wasn't appropriate. But Jesus ignored the appropriate to rescue the lost person

hidden behind the cultural barriers that imprisoned her and kept her from

redemption. He does the same today.

Jesus and the Samaritan Woman — Midweek Lent Service, March 15, 2023:

https://saintjamesglencarbon.org/2023-midweek-lent-service-3

Order of service:

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Psalm 95:1–9

John 4:5–26

Hymns:

- What Wondrous Love Is This: Text is from A General Selection of Hymns and

Spiritual Songs, 1811; tune is from Southern Harmony, 1835; text and tune are public

domain.

- Magnificat: Text: Luke 1:46 (ESV); public domain. Tune: David Schack (b. 1947), ©

2006 Lutheran Service Book, used with permission, LSB Hymn License no. 110001220.

- My Song Is Love Unknown: Text: Samuel Crossman, c. 1624–1683; Public domain. Tune:

John N. Ireland, 1879–1962, © John Ireland Trust; Used with permission: LSB Hymn

License #110001220.

The 1,000 years of Jesus' rule and reign appear only here in Scripture, so

it would be a mistake to put too much weight on any one supposedly definitive

interpretation. But what is clear in Revelation 20 is that Satan is finally

defeated, Jesus' victory begun on the cross will finally come to full fruition, and

God's people will rule and reign with him over his new creation.

The Millennium — Third Sunday in Lent, March 12, 2023:

https://saintjamesglencarbon.org/2023-third-sunday-in-lent

Order of service:

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Isaiah 44:21-23

Psalm 95:1–9

Exodus 17:1–7

Revelation 19—20

John 4:5–26

Hymns:

- Praise to the Lord, the Almighty: Text by Joachim Neander, trns. Catherine

Winkworth; tune by Ander Theil Des Erneuerten Gesang-Buchs, 1665; text and tune are

public domain.

- Lo! He Comes with Clouds Descending: Text: Charles Wesley; tune: Thomas Olivers;

text and tune are in the public domain.

- Beneath The Cross: Keith Getty, Kristyn Getty; © 2005 Thankyou Music (Admin. by

Capitol CMG Publishing); Used with permission, CCLI license #20286740.

- Oh, How Good It Is: Text and tune by Keith Getty, Kristyn Getty, Ross Holmes,

Stuart Townend; © 2012 Getty Music; used with permission, CCLI license # 20286740.

- Just as I Am, without One Plea: Text by Charlotte Elliott; tune by William B.

Bradbury; text and tune are public domain.

- My Savior's Love: Keith Getty, Matt Boswell, Matt Papa; © 2019 Getty Music Hymns

and Songs, Getty Music Publishing, Love Your Enemies Publishing, Messenger Hymns;

Used with permission, One License #728607-A.

- Crown Him with Many Crowns: Text by Matthew Bridges (sts. 1-3, 5) and Godfrey

Thring (sts. 4); tune by George J. Elvey; public domain.

In John 3 a religious leader named Nicodemus meets Jesus to ask him who he

really is, and Jesus teaches him about the necessity of complete human

transformation by the Holy Spirit and how God brings this about through the

crucifixion of his own Son.

Jesus and Nicodemus — Midweek Lent Service, March 8, 2023:

https://saintjamesglencarbon.org/2023-midweek-lent-service-2

Order of service:

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Psalm 121

John 3:1–17

Hymns:

- Andante (from Six Sonatas): C. P. E. Bach

- Water, Blood, and Spirit Crying: Text by Stephen P. Starke, © 1999 Stephen P.

Starke; tune by Jeffrey N. Blersch, © 2003 Jeffrey N. Blersch; used with permission,

LSB Hymn License #110001220.

- Finlandia: Jean Sibelius

- Magnificat: Text: Luke 1:46 (ESV); public domain. Tune: David Schack (b. 1947), ©

2006 Lutheran Service Book, used with permission, LSB Hymn License no. 110001220.

- Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer: Text: William Williams; tune: John Hughes; text

and tune are in the public domain.

- Fughetta: G.F. Handel